Thyroid Health Specialist

Beachside Naturopathic Clinic

Naturopathic Doctor located in Huntington Beach, CA

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating the human metabolism and other important bodily functions. When your thyroid isn’t working properly, you may experience symptoms ranging from fatigue, hair loss, decreased libido, memory loss and more. Dr. Cynthia Preston offers thyroid testing and treatment for patients with thyroid problems. This service is available to patients at Beachside Naturopathic Clinic in Sunset Beach, California.

831-231-2896

Thyroid Health Q & A

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that’s responsible for regulating the metabolism and supplying the body with the right amount of energy.

What are the most common thyroid disorders?

A thyroid disorder occurs any time the thyroid isn’t functioning properly. Many different thyroid problems exist, but the most common thyroid problems are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is underactive, and hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid is overactive.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include trouble with weight loss, confusion, fatigue, feeling cold, and a low metabolic rate. This condition affects 4 times as many women as men. Some cases of hypothyroidism are related to an autoimmune condition known as “Hashimoto’s Disease,” while others occur without this underlying condition.

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include an elevated heart rate, sweating easily, feeling hot, and unintended weight loss.

How does Dr. Preston diagnose problems with the thyroid?

The simplest test for thyroid problems is a blood test. Blood tests can be used to measure the amount of hormones produced by the thyroid, the level of thyroid antibodies in the blood, and the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone currently in the body. Abnormalities in these lab values may indicate a problem with the thyroid.

In addition to blood tests, Dr. Preston may also test the patient’s urine and saliva to check the levels of certain hormones that may affect the thyroid, and she may test for toxins in the body. In addition, Dr. Preston may order a hair analysis, and she may encourage the patient to measure their basal body temperature at home.

What treatments are available?

Patients with thyroid problems may respond to several different treatments available at Beachside Naturopathic Clinic.

People with hypothyroidism — where the thyroid is underactive — may need to take supplemental thyroid hormones designed to replace the hormones the thyroid isn’t producing.

For those with hyperthyroidism — where the thyroid is overactive — Dr. Preston may prescribe different medications.

Dr. Preston may also encourage patients to make certain dietary or lifestyle changes to improve the symptoms of their condition.